INS Dakar Submarine

INS Dakar Submarine
State Medal 2002/5762

The Dakar Submarine was a "T" Class British Submarine built during World War II, that was purchased together with her sister submarines, the "Livyatan" and the "Dolphin" in the mid-60s and renovated for the Israel Navy. On January 9, 1968, the Dakar Submarine left as planned on its maiden voyage from Portsmouth, England, carrying a 69-man crew. On January 24 at 6.10am, the Dakar reported its location, south-east of Crete. At midnight, on January 25, a last control telegram was received from the submarine and from that moment, all connections with the submarine were lost. Israel's Navy and Air Forces joined British Forces and others in a desperate search. When it was decided that continuing the search was futile, Moshe Dayan, then Defense Minister, sadly declared the submarine as lost. On February 9, 1969, the submarine's emergency buoy was discovered off the coast of the Gaza Strip. In 1981, the Israel Navy renewed its search around the Egyptian and Greek shores. On May 28,1999, the Israel Navy search operation, assisted by the American Nauticus Corp., which had previously discovered the Titanic wreck, was successful. The Dakar Submarine was found at a depth of 2.9km., about 250 miles from Haifa. The circumstances which had caused the Submarine to sink will probably remain mysterious forever. According to the decision made by the Ministerial Committee for Ceremonies and Signs, a State Medal was issued to commemorate the discovery of the Dakar Submarine wreck and naval crewmen after 31 years, one of the longest and most painful chapters in the history of Israel.

Obverse: To the left, the Dakar Submarine Emblem, to the right the Dolphin Flotilla Emblem. In the upper border, the inscription: "In tranquility is your valor" and in the center, the translation in Hebrew, from the Book of Isaiah. In the lower border, the date on which the Dakar sank and date on which the wreck was found.

Reverse: The Dakar Submarine at sea within the outline of the Mediterranean Sea. The location at which the wreck was found is marked by a point in the center. In the border to the right, the inscription: "Hidden by the sea are you" and in the center, the Hebrew verse from the Book of Jonah "So shall the sea be calm for you". Below is the Israel Navy Emblem.

Edge: State emblem with the words "STATE OF ISRAEL" inscribed in Hebrew on the right and in English on the left; the serial number and metal.

Designer: Ruben Nutels.

Engraving: Bulgaria

Mint: Silver and Bronze Medals and the Gold 50mm – Bulgaria. Gold 30.5mm – Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation Mint.